 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok, don't judge... have got a 10 year old matching blue jacket and salopettes from Trespass. Which in turn replaced an even older jacket from C&A. God I'm old... but it worked well enough for a once a year trip with family that were similarly attired.
On the plus side, they are warm - one base later is all I need, with that set, even on a fairly chilly day. But they are bulky, really bulky. And I'm pretty much the same, meaning that I look like a bit like the offspring of the Michelin Man and Smurfette. Hope that's not ruined any of your childhood memories...
So my ask is for:
- soft shell
- good insulation so I can keep to my single base layer
- as sleek as possible for the budget (wait for it...),
- ideally not too much of a crime against fashion on a late 40-something who suddenly finds himself amongst a group of more serious skiers.
As for the budget - thinking ideally £250 max for jacket and trousers. So far I've got some ideas on the jacket from online reviews:
Decathlon Freeride FR500 - £99
Dare2B Jenson Button Edit - £130
Cimalp Glacier H - £192
The last one would be pushing the boat a bit, but I'm all for spending a little more if it gets a good quality product.
Advice, thoughts etc please!!! Also for the trousers - my starting point is that I'd get them from wherever I got the jacket, but if that's not a good approach, please tell me!
Cheers
RC
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Cacciatore, I will be there in a few weeks, and it's a nice thought, but with minibus transfers arranged and a group in tow, shopping in Salzburg isn't really going to work!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes - how about being kind to the planet and looking at second hand gear.
We sometimes buy new and then hand onto people here. Other times, if I see something I like, I will buy secondhand on eBay.
what I do know is that I have climbed with people and they have said in the car park - look this was only 50.00 new - and questionned our 300 jackets. Then on the hill, in dreadful weather, they are cold and miserable, and at that point we ask them how much would they pay to be warm and dry? The extra then seems trivial (and can be life saving).
Recently for me from eBay:
New Elevanate jacket - under 200 reduced from 550.
Used but perfectly good PP Heli Alpine jacket - 60 originally 600. I bought one at full price and never looked back. So to get another one at 60.00 (which the Grom will probably steal) is a plus. Superb jacket.
Look on eBay for:
Rab - Inferno jacket, Vapour Rise Guide - accurate sizing
Peak Performance - accurate sizing
Elevanate - also accurate sizing
for example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254513663892?hash=item3b42324f94:g:laIAAOSwoBFeSFNx
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294108465940?hash=item447a3b0b14:g:sBUAAOSwTC5fppt3
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 24-01-22 21:32; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Sounds like your blue outfit is memorable but you'll certainly notice the difference when you upgrade.
Have a look at Westbeach, they have an online outlet 'snowshed' where you can grab some great bargains. I've been pleased with my kit from them, good waterproofing and breathability, not too bulky, choice of fits from slim to baggy depending on the style you chose.
I'd skip dare2be, no real difference from your trespass kit.
Sportpersuit website worth keeping at eye on. They can have good quality clothing at good discounts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Maybe Mountain Warehouse could have some options? Other brands that could be worth looking at are Tog24 and Surfanic. I bought a Tog24 coat over 10 years ago for around home and it's indestructible. Just looked at their site quickly before posting here and a 10% off first order offer popped up.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@valais2, second hand for value as an argument, ok, but I'm not going to fall into the trap of virtue signalling when I've only ever had 2 ski jackets in my life and they have/will be donated to the local hospice shop (damn, I fell into the trap  ). That said, the Dare2B jacket sounds like it has some decent credentials with recycled bottle insulation!
@carettam, oh alright, maybe not Dare2B then... as I said, I was just looking at some reasonably independent reviews and it came up as a good value option. Looked fairly slim, although that might have more been due to the model! Will check out Westbeach and Sportspursuit, thank you.
@Old Fartbag, thanks, will check yours out too. TK Maxx is my secret addiction, but for some reason I'd never considered it for ski gear. As you say, missed the boat this season though.
@marcs44, I think I saw some crazy cheap (£40) mountain warehouse coat get an honourable mention, at that price point you really have to question what the trade off is, would it be like wearing a pocketful of bricks? But will have another look plus your other suggestions.
So some good ones here, any more thoughts and ideas welcome!
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| ratechaser wrote: |
| @Old Fartbag, thanks, will check yours out too. TK Maxx is my secret addiction, but for some reason I'd never considered it for ski gear. As you say, missed the boat this season though. |
Their best gear is online. Worth checking from Sept. It helps to know what you're looking at....and stuff is added all the time, but the quality items don't hang about.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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TK Maxx is doing less and less ski gear - Sport Pursuit is the one now...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| wiigman wrote: |
| TK Maxx is doing less and less ski gear - Sport Pursuit is the one now... |
TK Maxx best deals are usually sold out by November. This year was slim, but I guess that is down to little/no ski season & not much produced anyway.
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As long as you are selective some of the Trespass stuff is very decent
Same with other brands personal fit and comfort is the thing
It's a bit like recommending boots certain brands will fit your foot shape better than other's
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You know it makes sense.
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| Garfield wrote: |
As long as you are selective some of the Trespass stuff is very decent
Same with other brands personal fit and comfort is the thing
It's a bit like recommending boots certain brands will fit your foot shape better than other's |
Fair... and I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on Trespass, it certainly suited us at one point, and one of my kids is still happy with their 'higher end' DLX outfit.
Anyway, I'm spoilt for choice with your suggestions. I have to say though that I do prefer to go to a physical shop and try things on (not least because I'm naturally a bit big and lumpy) so I might start with the Mountain Warehouse at the outlet centre down the road to me...
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| ratechaser wrote: |
| Garfield wrote: |
As long as you are selective some of the Trespass stuff is very decent
Same with other brands personal fit and comfort is the thing
It's a bit like recommending boots certain brands will fit your foot shape better than other's |
Fair... and I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on Trespass, it certainly suited us at one point, and one of my kids is still happy with their 'higher end' DLX outfit.
Anyway, I'm spoilt for choice with your suggestions. I have to say though that I do prefer to go to a physical shop and try things on (not least because I'm naturally a bit big and lumpy) so I might start with the Mountain Warehouse at the outlet centre down the road to me... |
Not quite what you describe , but how about a peak performance heli ski jacket in goretex, lined, so not a bare shell, but warmer. Size XL which I'd say was slightly smaller than that ? Red, two tone. Best of all, cheap ...?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Roguevfr, do you have a link? I tried googling but it takes me to various sites where it looks like a discontinued range.... 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Roguevfr, …if that’s a Heli Loft, that’s a VERY fine jacket….
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| valais2 wrote: |
| @Roguevfr, …if that’s a Heli Loft, that’s a VERY fine jacket…. |
Sadly not, rather an older Heli 2L goretex.
Still a fine piece of Swedish wear. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well after all that I think I'm sorted. Started by getting a super cheap set from mountain warehouse which I thought was a total bargain for £101, but after trying it on a few times at home decided it was still bulkier than I wanted. So returned that, and have now got a DLX jacket and trousers.
Which basically just means 'posh' Trespass, but it's a good fit and much lighter than what I've currently got. Good value at £171 all in.
I did make the call to go with outdoor trousers rather than full salopettes - they're still 10000 waterproof and 5000 breathable, and have some insulation - I tend to be very warm even just with a base layer so am taking a punt that I'll be fine with these, and my legs look a bit less like sequoia trunks in the process...
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